Current Events in January 2018

The Trump administration has given states permission to impose work requirements for people enrolled in Medicaid, the government health program for low-income households.

The elderly, medically frail, and pregnant would be exempt from the requirement, but states could require all others to show that they have a job, are training for one, or are volunteering in their communities in order to receive the health benefit.

The change was disclosed in new guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which said the policy change would incentivize work and community engagement.

"Subject to the full federal review process, CMS will support state efforts to test incentives that make participation in work or other community engagement a requirement for continued Medicaid eligibility or coverage for certain adult Medicaid beneficiaries in demonstration projects authorized under section 1115 of the Social Security Act," the agency said.

Could happen soon

In a conference call with reporters, Seema Verma, CMS' administrator, said she believes states choosing to implement a work requirement would be able to do so in the near future. However, it is almost certain that not every state will adopt the requirement.

The Obama Administration specifically barred states from implementing a work requirement, and states with Democratic governors and legislatures may adopt a similar stance.

CMS said it is aware of 10 states that have expressed interest in imposing a Medicaid work requirement. Those states are Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program to provide health benefits to low-income individuals. The money comes from the federal government, but the programs are administered at a state level.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states had the option of expanding Medicaid rolls to include more people in the program. It proved to be a largely partisan decision, with states controlled by Democrats taking that step but states under GOP control declining to do so.

As of last year, Medicaid funded medical and health-related services for an estimated 74 million people in the U.S.

Back in December, GOP members of Congress finally achieved their goal of passing sweeping tax reform, effectively changing how millions of Americans will file their taxes in 2018. Consumer advocates strongly opposed the decision, saying that the changes primarily benefitted the wealthy.

While many of those criticisms are still being expressed loudly, many American companies are celebrating the changes – and some are passing it on to their employees.

On Thursday, Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon announced that the retail giant would be increasing its starting wage to $11 per hour for Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, Supply Chain, eCommerce, and Home Office hourly associates. The changes are scheduled to go into effect starting in February.

Additionally, Walmart will be providing a one-time bonus to hourly employees ranging from $200 to $1,000 depending on how long the they have been with the company and expanding its paid leave policy to provide 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave. McMillon says that the company will also contribute $5,000 to employees who plan to adopt a child to offset associated costs.

“Today, we are building on investments we’ve been making in associates, in their wages and skills development. It’s our people who make the difference and we appreciate how they work hard to make every day easier for busy families,” he said.

Keeping up with the competition

While McMillon specifically mentions recent tax reform as an impetus for the change, other factors may also have been a driving force behind the decision.

Back in September, Target announced that it would be raising its minimum wage to $11 per hour, which put it ahead of Walmart at the time. Target CEO Brian Cornell said the decision would help Target “attract new team members” and “provide an exceptional service environment.”

By raising its own starting wage, Walmart effectively finds a way to retain its own employee talent and attract new workers with its improved benefits package.

Improving employee satisfaction and customer service will also help Walmart stay competitive against the likes of online retailers like Amazon; the two companies became even fiercer rivals in 2017, and Walmart was able to gain some ground by closing the retail price gap and expanding its own online services.

So, although Walmart estimates that the wage increase and bonus will cost the country around $700 million, the move could prove to be well worth it in the long-run.

The 2017-2018 flu season is shaping up to be a particularly nasty one. Thirteen children have already died from the flu this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Scores of others across the U.S. have been hospitalized due to flu-related complications.

Illnesses like the flu tend to spread more rapidly during winter. Medical professionals say no one really knows for sure why the risk of getting sick is greater during winter. However, there are a few good theories that are supported by scientific evidence.

Risk greater during winter

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, associate professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, outlined a few key factors.

“The major factors seem to be that some viruses are more contagious at colder temperatures, our immune systems may not work as well during the winter when it’s cold, and we spend more time indoors during the winter, so we are more likely to be exposed to indoor air that may already be contaminated with viruses,” he said.

Some viruses also have special seasonal patterns, he added. For example, the flu is a big problem in the northern hemisphere during our winter and in the southern hemisphere during their winter, which occurs during our summer.

“This pattern has been linked to international airline travel, with people transmitting the virus as they travel from one country or hemisphere to another,” he said.

Tips for staying healthy

To keep from getting sick, Ladapo recommends:

• Eating a balanced diet. Eating a well-balanced diet -- particularly with lots of vegetables and fruits and other whole foods -- can help prevent illness, he said.

• Exercising regularly. Although the scientific evidence is mixed, Ladapo strongly encourages regular exercise and believes it probably does reduce a person’s risk of catching a cold or flu -- or “at least helps you recover more quickly.”

• Getting plenty of zinc. Minerals like Zinc can also help, Ladapo said. There’s some evidence suggesting that zinc helps ward off flu symptoms, but people should be aware of the risks associated with zinc toxicity.

• Washing your hands frequently. Hand contact is one of the major ways that cold viruses are transmitted, so be diligent about hand hygiene and careful about what surfaces you touch.

• Avoiding contact with infected individuals. If possible, avoid contact with those who are sick. Click here for tips on how to stay healthy when a family member has the flu.

• Getting the flu vaccine. “This year, it was not very effective, but it has been effective in other years,” Ladapo said. “In fact, for some patients, the flu vaccine actually can decrease their risk of death. We have seen randomized trials of patients with heart disease which show that getting the flu vaccine reduces their risk of having a heart attack or other cardiac event. Amazingly, the flu vaccine in these patients can be almost as effective for preventing cardiac events as taking a statin.”

What to do if symptoms arise

If you still get sick despite your best efforts to stay healthy, there are a few steps you can take to help expedite the road to recovery. Ladapo says that taking medications like Tylenol ibuprofen, decongestants, and intranasal cromolyn have been shown to help.

“Most of what we know to be effective for reducing symptoms requires taking a medication. Many people don’t want to do this, but unfortunately, there are not a lot of other options,” Ladapo said.

Scientific evidence for alternative treatment choices like vitamin C and Echinacea haven’t been as consistent, so he doesn’t usually recommend them. However, he doesn’t dissuade patients from trying them either.

“It may work for some people,” he said, adding that getting enough rest is also important.

Walmart has suddenly announced the closing of 63 Sam's Club warehouse stores in the U.S., throwing hundreds of people out of work.

According to media reports, some Sam's Club locations were closed Thursday, with no advance notice to customers or employees. Sam's Club used its Twitter channel to break the news.

“After a thorough review of our existing portfolio, we’ve decided to close a series of clubs and better align our locations with our strategy,” the company wrote. “Closing clubs is never easy and we’re committed to working with impacted members and associates through this transition.”

Some of the closed locations are being turned into distribution centers. The company said that affected employees would have the chance to reapply for those jobs. Sam's Club Tweeted the link to its Store Locator to help consumers who normally shop at affected stores find another location.

The announcement comes on the same day that parent company Walmart announced higher starting wages for Walmart employees. Walmart said it is raising the hourly pay to $11 an hour, while offering expanded benefits and a cash bonus of up to $1,000.

Sam's Club was founded in 1983 and is the second-largest warehouse retailer in the U.S., behind Costco.

Electronic manufacturers at this year's CES in Las Vegas have introduced several new television set models that enhance resolution and add artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

LG Electronics took the wraps off its new line of 2018 LG AI OLED and LG AI SUPER UHD TV sets. Key upgrades include LG ThinQ artificial intelligence, the new Alpha 9 intelligent processor, and Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlighting, to provide more of a theater experience.

In all, LG is introducing nine new 4K LG AI OLED TVs in different design configurations and sizes, ranging from 55 to 77 inches. Also this year, LG says it plans to introduce seven new 4K LG AI SUPER UHD TV models, ranging in size from 55 to 75 inches.

Many of the sets offer innovative features. For example, the 65-inch OLED TV can roll up like wrapping paper and hide itself in a box when not in use.

"LG's 2018 TV lineup represents the next generation entertainment experience in the connected home," said Tim Alessi, senior director of product marketing for home entertainment at LG Electronics USA.

"By marrying cinema-quality display technology with LG ThinQ artificial intelligence in breathtaking form factors, LG continues its leadership at the forefront of innovation in the OLED and premium TV market globally."

ThinQ artificial intelligence allows viewers to use hundreds of voice requests using both proprietary and third-party AI platforms to guide the device in performing different tasks.

The Wall

For consumers whose TV can never be big enough, Samsung has introduced what it says is the world’s first consumer modular MicroLED TV, a product it calls "The Wall."

The company says the 146-inch TV display offers consumers a great viewing experience, but it is also a centralized smart hub for accessing other devices and content.

"Samsung’s Smart TV platform was enhanced this year to now include Bixby, SmartThings and Universal Guide," a company spokesman told ConsumerAffairs in an email. "Bixby, an intelligent assistant platform developed by Samsung, enables easier interaction between the TV and consumers thanks to its intuitive UX and comprehensive voice analysis capabilities.”

“SmartThings integration into 2018 Samsung Smart TVs will offer easier sharing, connectivity, and an overall simplified way to control the television and sync with other devices.”

Because of the modular design, The Wall can also be configured in smaller sizes and can even be arranged in different shapes. For large rooms, consumers can create a wall-sized display. In smaller settings, consumers can pick a size that fits.

The Wall will go on sale to consumers later this year.

8K resolution

Samsung also took the wraps off a new TV set -- the Q9S 85-inch TV -- that increases regular video content to 8K resolution.

“At Samsung, we are dedicated to providing consumers with a wide range of cutting-edge viewing experiences. As the world’s first consumer modular MicroLED television, ‘The Wall’ represents another breakthrough,” said Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

“It can be customized to any size and delivers incredible brightness, color gamut, color volume and black levels. We’re excited about this next step toward the future of screen technology and the remarkable viewing experience it offers consumers,” he concluded.

Besides the hardware, vendors are also showing off content to be viewed on these new sets. High TV, a 4K content provider, announced it has developed 3D content that can be viewed without glasses, along with holographic programming.

The content, which currently revolves around travel and tourism, will be viewable on devices made by Samsung and Huawei.

Two-thirds of consumers expressed optimism about their personal finances to start 2018 in a survey conducted by LendingTree, an online loan marketplace.

Nearly half the consumers in the survey said 2017 was better for them financially than the previous year, with at least one-third saying they got a pay raise last year. Twenty-four percent said they were able to add to their savings last year.

Consumers under age 35 appear to be the most optimistic. A full 79 percent of this age group said they expect their finances to improve this year. In contrast, only 55 percent of those older than 50 expressed confidence that their finances would improve in 2018.

Rising home prices and a booming stock market could be contributing to the sunny outlook, but economist Joel Naroff, of Naroff Economic Advisors, points to a tightening labor market, where job security has improved.

Easier to get a job

"The labor market is good for almost anyone who can pass a drug and background test," Naroff told ConsumerAffairs. "Some people may have to relocate to get jobs, but they are out there. Most businesses, no matter what their size, are having significant problems finding qualified workers to fill openings."

Not only does that improve the prospects of finding a job, it helps people who already have one. Businesses realize it is important to retain good employees. Naroff expects that trend to continue in the months ahead.

"The tax cuts will accelerate economic growth, raising labor demand and making it more likely that less qualified workers will be hired," he said. "In other words, the economy is too strong for the labor markets, but that is why things are good for workers."

With a tight labor market, wages could also rise -- another benefit for consumers. At the same time, rising wages could increase inflation, making most things more expensive. So far, at least, inflation has been tame, perhaps another reason for consumer optimism.

Worries about credit card debt

There is one area of the economy that Naroff sees as cause for concern. Credit card debt hit a record level in November, with December's spending yet to be accounted for.

Evidence suggests households appear to be funding spending out of savings. Naroff says that's the result of growing consumer confidence that might not be justified.

"Household budgets seem to be stretched. That said, people use credit cards for just about everything, so saying we are at record highs is not that much of a surprise," he said. "It is the record highs coupled with the low and declining savings rate that has me concerned."

In the LendingTree survey, that's also the biggest source of consumer concern. Only 16 percent reported progress in reducing credit card debt last year.

Forty-three percent of consumers expressed concern about unexpected expenses and 34 percent said they sometimes worried about making ends meet. Those two factors often result in more expenses going on credit cards instead of being paid for with cash.

Clearly defined fitness goals are necessary in order for wearable physical activity monitors to be effective, a new study finds.

Without goals in place, researchers say that activity monitors may actually cause a drop in a users’ level of physical activity. In order to see any significant impact on fitness or cardiovascular health, researchers say specific goals should be established right away.

"To make activity trackers effective, users need to set a specific goal and stick with it," said the study's corresponding author, Dr Luke Burchill, an assistant professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine and the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute.

Study details

The study followed more than 400 healthy adults over the course of six months, most of whom were office workers that led predominantly sedentary lifestyles. To assess seasonal impact, the study started in the summer and ended in the winter.

Findings showed that participants who wore activity trackers without any clear fitness goals in place walked fewer steps per day and experienced no improvement in their heart health. This was true despite 57 percent of users thinking their activity had actually increased.

Throughout the course of the study, the researchers found that participants gradually decreased the number of steps they took per day, and that certain cardiac risk factors -- such as blood pressure -- remained largely unchanged.

Sticking to your goals

Activity monitors can be powerful tools for improving activity levels when paired with “concrete, realistic goals -- such as taking 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day or having 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week,” Burchill told ConsumerAffairs.

Consumers who wear an activity monitor hoping it will improve their overall fitness should consult with a medical health professional and establish clear goals in order to see any significant change.

Maintaining any increase in physical activity in the long-term will likely require a lifestyle change, Burchill added.

Most people will have to “consider how they can restructure their day so that increased activity is woven in their routine rather than being an ‘add-on’ for which additional time is needed,” he said.

Burchill and others in the medical community are increasingly advising patients to shift their focus from exercising to an overall increase in daily physical activity.

“This may be achieved through fundamental changes in transport (i.e. commuting to work by walking or cycling – even if only for some of the distance), leisure time activities (i.e. reducing TV and computer time at home), and in the workplace (breaking periods of prolonged sitting with intermittent bursts of physical activity such as walking),” he said.

The full study has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Consumers applying for a credit card in 2018 will have even more attractive options as the industry's competition for customers shows no signs of letting up.

Last year saw an increase in rewards and a decline in fees. Thomas Donaldson, Senior Credit Specialist at CompareCards, predicts credit card perks will get even better in the months ahead.

"Heading into 2018, the credit card landscape is more competitive than ever as issuers compete for the number one spot in consumer’s wallets," Donaldson told ConsumerAffairs. "When banks compete, consumers win."

Cash is king

Because cashback credit cards are so popular with consumers, Donaldson says banks will issue more of them, with increasingly generous rewards. Banks are also creating travel rewards structures that mimic cashback programs.

The Discover it -- Cashback Match card pays five percent cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, or wholesale clubs up to a maximum level each quarter. It pays one percent on all other purchases.

The Chase Freedom card is another popular cashback choice. It pays five percent cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter. The cardholder sets the categories based on his or her spending priorities.

Because consumers racked up an estimated $43 billion in holiday debt, the most valuable rewards credit card may be one that lets you transfer a balance from another card and pay no interest for an extended period.

Better balance transfer offers

Donaldson says the balance transfer offers are getting better in 2018. So far this month, there are more cards offering a $0 introductory fee for balance transfers and zero percent rates for over a year.

For consumers making payments on a $10,000 credit card balance at 17 percent interest, the savings would amount to around $140 a month.

"Since the Fed started raising rates at the end of 2015, the average interest rate on outstanding credit card balances has increased 86 basis points, according to a CompareCards analysis of Federal Reserve data," Donaldson said. “That represents $7 billion in extra interest owed this year for Americans who carry a balance on their credit card."

The Fed is expected to raise rates as many as three times in 2018, meaning interest charges are likely to go even higher. That makes a balance transfer card even more attractive.

The BankAmericard offers a 15-month zero percent introductory period if balances are transferred in the first 60 days the account is open. It also waives the three percent balance transfer fee if the transfer is made in that 60 day window.

"Banks are sweetening the balance transfer deal for consumers looking for a way out of credit card debt," Donaldson said. "More cards offer $0 intro fees to transfer a balance and longer zero percent intro APR. That gives people a more cost-effective way to pay down debt without new monthly interest piling up."

Donaldson says 2018 will also see improvements to loyalty programs, as banks try to keep their current customers happy. That means consumers might not have to apply for a new card this year in order enjoy added rewards.

Toyota Motor North America is expanding its recall of vehicles with Takata front passenger airbag inflators.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with a particular type of Takata inflator in which a safety defect may arise in the front passenger airbag inflators in the involved vehicles due to inflator propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

This may result in an inflator rupture when the airbag deploys.

Based on the latest information from Takata, the expansion involves approximately 601,300 additional vehicles in the U.S.

The following models are included:

• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Scion xB
• 2009 ‐ 2010 and 2013 Model Year Toyota Corolla
• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Toyota Corolla Matrix
• 2009 – 2010 Model Year Toyota Yaris
• 2010 and 2013 Model Year Toyota 4Runner
• 2013 Model Year Toyota Sienna
• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus IS250/350
• 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus IS250C/350C
• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus IS‐F
• 2009 – 2010 Model Year Lexus ES350
• 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus GX460

What to do

Toyota will contact all known owners of the recalled vehicles by first class mail by early March.

Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace either the front passenger air bag inflator or the front passenger air bag assembly at no cost to customers.

Owners with questions may contact Toyota customer service at 1‐800‐331‐4331, or Lexus customer service at 1‐800‐255‐3987.

From data breaches to fraudulent activity, 2017 saw a number of scary threats to consumers’ security. And although 2018 has just begun, two critical cybersecurity exploits have already unfolded, putting consumers personal information at risk.

In order to keep your sensitive personal information from falling into the wrong hands, it’s crucial to make sure you have a strong password in place on electronic devices, including tablets, smartphones, and computers.

However, a recent study suggests consumers tend to favor convenience over security when it comes to picking a password.

Worst passwords

These were SplashData's top 10 worst passwords from 2017, according to NextAdvisor.

• 123456

• password

• 12345678

• qwerty

• 12345

• 123456789

• letmein

• 1234567

• football

• Iloveyou

Common password pitfalls

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Jocelyn Baird, associate editor at NextAdvisor, pointed out that half the list is made up of strings of ascending numbers.

“This tells us that when people are faced with the need to create a password with a minimum of, for example, six characters, a lot will simply opt for the easiest possible choice and type in ‘123456.’ Those are as lazy as you can get, but the other passwords on the list don’t fare much better,” Baird said.

Many consumers chose login-related passwords (such as “admin” or “passw0rd”), while others opted for a single word that likely had something to do with their life or interests (such as “Andrea” or “starwars”).

Choosing a safe password

In an age where consumers are required to choose a password for everything from their computer at work to their bicycle lock, password fatigue has become a very real problem. Baird noted that the average person has well over ten online accounts.

While it may be tempting to choose the same simple, easy-to-remember password for all your accounts, security experts don’t recommend doing so.

“In general, you’re better off using more variety and characters. A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters (e.g., # or !) is the way to go,” Baird said. “And don’t forget that when it comes to passwords, longer is stronger.”

A password manager can help you keep track of all of your passwords. Check out ConsumerAffairs’ list of the best options here.

Additional security measures

In addition to making sure all of your passwords contain the above-mentioned attributes, be sure to utilize all the security options that are available to you.

“Remember, all it takes is one compromised password to unlock your entire network of accounts – especially if you’re using the same password for more than one account,” Baird said.

For an added security boost, she recommends the following:

• Use two-step verification. Also known as two-factor authentication (or TFA), this security measure requires a second piece of information besides your password to get logged in. “Usually, this second data point is a specially generated, one-time code sent to you via SMS, email, or through a phone call,” Baird said.

• Set a lock code. To ensure no one can pick up your phone and use it or see its contents, be sure to set a lock code. “These vary from smartphone to smartphone, but can range from a four- to six-digit PIN to a ‘knock code’ created by a specific pattern of taps on your screen to biometrics (e.g., your fingerprint),” Baird said.

• Be mindful of connections. “Free Wi-Fi from your local coffee shop might seem like a sweet deal, but hackers could be lurking on the network looking for unsuspecting victims,” Baird said.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 432 model year 2017 Mercedes G550 & G550 4x4 Squared vehicles.

The vacuum hose for the brake booster may collapse resulting in increased braking effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum hose, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are not currently available.

Owners will be notified of the recall in January 2018 and receive a second letter when the parts become available, currently expected to be in March 2018.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

The Internet Association, whose members include some of the nation's largest technology companies, has announced its intention to join a lawsuit aimed at restoring net neutrality.

In December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) overturned a 2015 rule that established internet service providers (ISP) as common carriers, requiring them to treat all internet traffic equally.

Free Press and other consumer groups are preparing a lawsuit against the FCC in an effort to overturn its December action. Internet Association President & CEO Michael Beckerman said tech companies are joining the suit because they have a big stake in the future of the internet.

'Defies the will of the majority'

“The final version of Chairman Pai’s rule, as expected, dismantles popular net neutrality protections for consumers," Beckerman said in a statement. "This rule defies the will of a bipartisan majority of Americans and fails to preserve a free and open internet."

Internet Association members include Alphabet (Google), Amazon, and Netflix. Etsy, also a member, said in a statement that it intends to challenge the FCC ruling in a separate lawsuit.

The Internet Association said it will pursue a legal remedy, though it would prefer a legislative solution. Barbara Cherry, a communications law expert and Indiana University professor, says both avenues are viable.

"Because this was done by FCC order and rules, there is the potential that Congress could exercise its authority under the Congressional Review Act by passing a resolution to repeal what the FCC did,” Cherry told ConsumerAffairs in a December interview. “It's filibuster-proof and doesn't require a signature of the President."

However, Republicans currently control Congress and are generally less supportive of net neutrality than Democrats, making it unlikely that they’ll act.

'Seriously and significantly flawed'

Cherry says the legal avenue may hold more promise of success, at least in the short term. That's because she sees several flaws in the legal reasoning behind the FCC order.

"When you look at the notice of proposed rulemaking, the underlying opening of the proceeding had misrepresentation of history, law, and the engineering involved with these networks," she said. "It's seriously and significantly flawed."

If groups challenging the FCC are successful in court, she says the FCC could appeal the ruling all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"So I think there's a very good chance of reversing this on appeal, but that just kicks it back to the FCC again," she said. "The only party that can settle this in the long run is Congress."

Bankrupt auto parts supplier Takata Corp. has recalled an additional 3.3 million potentially deadly airbag inflators, as the largest U.S. automotive recall gets even bigger.

At least 15 car companies may be equipped with the Takata airbags, including BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota, and Tesla. The company said it would work with each company to develop a remedy.

A letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the recall addresses model year 2009 vehicles ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Exploding inflators

As we have previously reported, the problem with the Takata airbags lies in the inflators, assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.

When that happens, tiny bits of metal are sprayed through the vehicle cabin, much like shrapnel. The faulty inflators have been blamed for 13 deaths, the latest occurring in July when a 19 year-old woman died as the result of a minor accident that caused the airbag in her 2002 Honda to deploy.

The total number of recalls caused by the potentially dangerous airbags is now approaching 50 million and may reach as many as 70 million next year, Takata says. These vast numbers have created challenges for dealers and auto service centers. Auto manufacturers, however, urge drivers of affected cars to seek repairs as soon as possible.

20 million still not repaired

According to John Buretta, the independent monitor overseeing the recalls, at least 20 million recalled Takata airbags still had not been replaced as of mid-September.

Last July, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) urged Honda to take "the strongest possible action to ensure that vehicles with such airbags are immediately removed from the road before more people are killed."

You can find out if your car is affected by the recalls by writing down your vehicle's VIN number and going to the U.S. government's website SaferCar.gov.

If your dealer is not able to replace the defective airbag immediately, you can ask for a loaner, but dealers are not legally obligated to provide one.

Consumers who may have received a new smartphone over the holidays should take steps to protect it from phony apps. Security experts are warning that hackers can use malicious versions of these programs to fool users into sharing sensitive personal information.

Using smartphone apps, hackers can steal passwords, credit card and banking account information, and information about people in your contact lists. Criminals can even infect your smartphone with malware, dupe you into sending money, or lock your phone and demand ransom to unlock it.

Phony apps can sometimes be difficult to spot since they’re often promoted on websites or through marketing emails, which can appear to be legitimate offers from a leading brand in e-commerce.

Unfortunately, consumers fall victim to this kind of scam more than you think. Just a few months ago, a fake version of the mobile app WhatsApp was downloaded by more than a million consumers.

Avoiding phony apps

In this digital age, it’s crucial for consumers to take the time to research the technology they use in their daily lives -- especially before handing over money, sharing personal information, and downloading apps.

To protect your smartphone, experts from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities recommend taking the following precautions:

• Use official app stores. Consumers are urged to only download apps from official app stores such as Google or Apple. Additionally, investigate any potential downloads beforehand since the screening processes of these official stores aren’t foolproof.

• Stay up to date. Keep your phone’s operating system up to date, especially with system patches tagged as “critical security update.”

• Protect personal information. Be wary of apps that ask for permission to access information unrelated to the performance of the app, like access to contacts, text messages, administrative features, stored passwords, or banking and credit card info.

• Don’t be fooled by reviews. Reviews can be forged by criminals, and a high number of downloads can simply indicate that the scammer was successful in fooling a large number of victims. Before downloading an app, always look at the developer to make sure it’s a brand you recognize.

• Watch for typos. Poor grammar or spelling mistakes in the description of an app is a red flag, since malware campaigns often feature a lack of marketing professionalism.

• Delete what you’re not using. If you are no longer using an app on your phone, delete or uninstall it.

• Use parental controls. To protect your child’s device, consider enabling parental controls on their device so you have the power to review any downloads.

• Go the extra mile. If you believe you have downloaded a phony app, do more than just delete the app. Some phony apps can make themselves “invisible” and look as though they have been deleted, so be sure to restore your phone to its factory settings and change all passwords.

HealthPostures of Prior Lake, Minn., is recalling about 100 IntimateRider chairs and RiderMate benches.

The stitching on the cloth cover can loosen, posing fall and injury hazards.

The firm has received one report of failed stitching causing a person to fall, resulting in an ankle injury.

This recall involves the IntimateRider chair and the RiderMate bench which are designed for the specialty mobility market, including persons with disabilities.

The chair and bench have a steel frame and come with a black cloth covering that fits over them., and fold for storage.

The chair part number is (P/N7100), and the bench part number is (P/N 7150). The numbers can be found on the white label located on the frame.

The chairs and benches, manufactured in the U.S., were sold at The Veterans Administration in Richmond, Va.; Milwaukee, Wis.; St. Louis, Mo.; and online at Indemedical.com, Vidacura.com, Access to Recreation.com, Sportaid.com, The Access Store.com, Austin Wheelchair Co.com and intimaterider.com from September 2017, through November 2017, for about $365 for the chair and $159 for the bench.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and benches and contact HealthPostures for a free replacement cover and instructions on installing the replacement cover. Health Postures is contacting consumers directly.

Consumers may contact HealthPostures at 800-277-1841 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday, online at www.intimaterider.com, or email customerService@HealthPostures.com.